Shopping for Fitness: A Guide to Heart Rate Monitors

Last month I covered the basics of training within heart rate zones, detailing which zones are good for which aerobic/anaerobic adaptations. I also discussed the various formulas for calculating your heart rate zone, the age-based formula and the Karvonen formula. Luckily for us there’s a much easier way to figure out which zone you’re in, while you’re exercising (no need to stop and do the math). 

The heart rate monitor, my absolute favorite piece of fitness equipment. Nothing has motivated me to work harder, work smarter, and work longer than my heart rate monitor (henceforth referred to as HRM). 

Fitness Can Be Fun: Urban Dare Pacific Beach 2011

Honestly, I’m not a runner. I can run, I do run, but I’ve never considered myself to be a runner. Why? Growing up around runners has put them on a pedestal of low body fat, expensive shoes, and clocking miles at a 2-for-1 pace versus mine. It’s mostly the latter that distinguishes me from them; they’re fast and I’m slow. I’ll call myself a jogger…but not yet a runner.

Strength Training Basics

A muscle is like a car. If you want it to run well early in the morning, you have to warm it up - Florence Griffith Joyner

Strength training is one of my favorite forms of exercise so I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to discuss it a bit. It seems most exercise enthusiasts are divided into two camps: they love weight training and the challenges and opportunities it presents, or they despise it and treat it as a nuisance at best and an option at worst.